Findlay native Paul Brooks inducted into ODNR Hall of Fame

During this year's Ohio State Fair, the Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) honored a number of Ohioans for their lifetime achievements in conservation and protection of Ohio's natural resources. Taking place at the Natural Resources Park amphitheater, the ceremony recognized Cardinal Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and ODNR Director Mary Mertz celebrated seven outstanding individuals who were inducted into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame. The award was created in 1966 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to protecting Ohio's natural resources. With these latest inductions, the number of people presented with this honor is 200. "The Natural Resources Hall of Fame is the highest honor conservationists who call Ohio home can receive," said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. "Each year, we celebrate the writers, researchers, and leaders who capture what it means to be an advocate for our state's natural resources. We hope this honor inspires future generations of Ohioans to protect our great outdoors." This year's Hall of Fame inductees are: Paul Brooks: From his childhood involvement in 4-H to his work as board chair of the League of Ohio Sportsmen, Paul Brooks has a years-long connection to Ohio's natural resources and outdoors. He has dedicated more than 30 years to the conservation of Ohio's natural resources through youth education, community outreach, and legislative advocacy. Paul recognizes the importance of conservation and education at all levels – he organizes and leads youth programs such as Junior Anglers Camp and Coonskin Cap Brigades alongside working with the governor's office and federal legislators. Jean Beaty: Jean Beaty was the first woman ever appointed to the Ohio Wildlife Council, starting her tenure in 1975 – staying on that job for 24 years, making her one of the longest-serving members since the council's founding in 1974. While on the council, she represented both farming and wildlife interests, acquiring new wildlife areas, establishing a dove hunting season, and revitalizing populations of some of Ohio's most iconic native species, including bald eagles, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and walleye. Jean passed away in 2021. Cheryl Harner: Cheryl Harner was a founding board member of the Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association, remaining on the board until her passing in 2024. She was also a commissioner for the Richland County Parks district and a field trip leader and lecturer for the Midwest Native Plant Society. What many consider her crowning achievement was her founding of Flora-Quest with her friend Paula Harper. Flora-Quest was an ecotourism organization that brought people to Ohio's outdoors by sponsoring weekend-long educational trips and workshops highlighting Ohio's rich biological diversity. William Stuart "Stu" Lewis, Sr.: William Stuart "Stu" Lewis, Sr. worked for the 30-plus years he for ODNR and was ODNR's Division of Natural Areas and Preserves first Scenic Rivers employee, leading the charge to protect the many rivers that run across Ohio. During his service, he oversaw the Scenic Rivers program from a fledgling branch of DNAP to a program recognized across the state for its contributions to protecting our state's most valuable natural resource – water. Elaine Marsh: Elaine Marsh has spent a lifetime sharing her love for Erie County and the waterways in northern Ohio. Elaine is an award-winning conservationist who continues to be at the forefront of protecting rivers. In 1989, she co-founded Friends of the Crooked River, a grassroots group dedicated to the Cuyahoga River, for which she currently serves as Conservation Director. She also works as a watershed specialist for Summit Metro Parks, where she assists ODNR with projects that enhance water quality in the county and to represent the park in community efforts that advance water resources. Throughout her career, she has served on many boards and commissions, including Great Lakes United, the Discover Ohio Water Trails Partnership and the Ohio Science Advisory Board for Environmental Health and Protection. David Nolin: David Nolin worked as the director of conservation at Five Rivers MetroParks in the Dayton Area from 1984 to 2015, a position where he oversaw restoration projects, wildlife protection, and land acquisitions – David negotiated and closed on over 7,000 acres of new natural areas and conservation easements for the MetroParks during that time. During his time as director of conservation, he spent much of his personal time championing new, community-based conservation solutions and organizations. In 1988, he was one of the leaders in founding the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association, a series of interconnected wetlands that together create a 15-mile-long wetland corridor. Today, he is the president of the Beaver Creek Wetlands Association. Harvey Webster: Harvey Webster has spent half a century working for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History as the Chief Wildlife Officer and Museum Ambassador. Harvey oversaw the Perkins Wildlife Center & Woods Garden – one of Ohio's largest collections of native wildlife and the museum's largest public gallery and exhibit space and directed the Wildlife Resource Center. His most important contribution to Ohio's natural resources, however, was his role in revitalizing the bald eagle population in Ohio. Harvey applied the same methods Dr. Tom Cade used to revive America's peregrine falcon population, creating a one-of-a-kind population restoration program for bald eagles in the state at the time that helped bring bald eagles back from extinction in Ohio. "If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito." – Dalai Lama Along the Way The Ohio Division of Wildlife has $9 million of funding available to landowners who want to create grassland habitat that can support native wildlife, like northern bobwhite quail and other grassland-nesting birds. Several types of grant awards are available for interested landowners. Eligible lands include cropland and non-cropland, and grants will be awarded on a per-acre basis or based on number of projects. Contract agreements can range from one to four years. The Division of Wildlife and National Bobwhite and Grasslands Initiative Foundation are working with interested landowners to provide hands-on technical assistance at no cost. Interested landowners should contact a Wildlife Management Consultant to begin planning conservation efforts with experts who can design practical, wildlife-friendly land management strategies. To find the consultant in your area, visit: www.ohiodnr.gov/discover-and-learn/safety-conservation/woodland-management/private-lands-biologist "This grassland habitat program is a win-win for landowners and wildlife," said John Kaiser, Private Lands Program Manager for ODNR Division of Wildlife. "Healthy native grasslands support pollinators, improve soil health, and create vital cover for birds and other wildlife. With the right guidance and support, landowners can make a big difference." Grassland birds, including bobwhites, have experienced population declines in Ohio and across the nation because of habitat loss. Much of the state's potential grassland habitat is on private land, so projects such as this greatly benefit priority species. The new program provides customized solutions that align a landowner's goals, such as improving soil health, increasing recreation value, supporting livestock, or enriching wildlife diversity, with proven conservation practices. The program will also evaluate long-term impacts to habitat improvements and bird populations as well as broader social and economic benefits. The National Bobwhite and Grassland Initiative Foundation and Ohio were awarded the funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service's Regional Conservation Partnership Program as part of a multi-state initiative to fuel native grassland habitat restoration. The foundation is a partnership to restore and maintain wild bobwhite quail, associated species, and their native habitats through science-based research and management to support healthy wildlife, soil, air, and water for the benefit of society. Visit nbgif.org to learn more. Step Outside • Beginning Sept. 9, the UCOA Sportsman's Club, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay, will be hosting a 6-week Tuesday night trap shooting league. For more information, contact Karl Charron, 419-701-8698 or karl.charron@poet.com • Thursday: Trap Shooting, open to the public. 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. Contact: Karl Charron, 419-701-8698 or karl.charron@poet.com • Aug. 16: Bratwurst Sporting Clays Fun Shoot includes 100- bird round on the sporting clays course & bratwurst lunch. Cost is $70 per shooter. Tickets for prize drawing for each target broken. Registration starts at 8 am. Shotgun start 10:00 am. Sponsored by the Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club, 4146 Klopfenstein Rd. Bucyrus. Contact: Ruth Malpas, 419-562-6131, elkhorn@elkhornlakehuntclub.com. • Aug. 23: 3-D Archery Match, mixed animal targets. Field and Stream Bowhunters; 11400 Allen Township 109, Findlay. Registration opens at 10 a.m. Contact: John Fenimore at 419-957-8764. • Sept. 12-14: Ohio Women's Outdoor Adventure Weekend. This unique weekend is designed to introduce women to a wide variety of outdoor activities in a supportive, beginner-friendly environment. Participants – ages 16 and up – minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Accommodations: Deer Creek State Park Lodge and Conference Center, Mount Sterling (Pickaway County). Cost: is $395 per person, based on double occupancy – includes lodging, four activity sessions, five meals, a t-shirt, transportation between venues, and evening activities. 100 spots available, early registration is encouraged. Registration OPEN NOW for first-time participants, and for past participants on Tuesday, July 15 at 10 a.m. For a complete listing of sessions and registration, visit ohiodnr.gov/owoa. Jim Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.